Capitals sign first-rounder Filip Forsberg to 3-year deal

Filip Forsberg is spending this week at Washington Capitals development camp getting used to life and hockey in North America.

But he’s also not wasting any time moving his career along, as the No. 11 pick in last month’s draft signed a three-year entry-level deal worth $832,500 at the NHL level per season.

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“I felt pretty good; I got a good first feeling from the Capitals,” Forsberg said. “I thought it was a good decision to get it done right away.”

Forsberg, who turns 18 next month, is still expected to play next season with Leksands IF in Sweden, as he has one more year left on his contract there.

The contract technically starts whenever he comes over to play in North America, which could be the beginning of the 2013-14 season. He’s not sure when exactly that will happen.

“I will be playing back in Leksand this year. And then if the Caps want me over, maybe I’ll give it a shot,” Forsberg said. “But it’s hard to tell a year ahead. We’ll see. In one year you can ask me the same question.”

Per the collective bargaining agreement, Forsberg’s contract is two-way and would pay him $70,000 at the American Hockey League level. But it’s highly doubtful that he will see any time with the Hershey Bears. At his age he’s not eligible to play in the AHL.

The deal came together quickly; Forsberg is just the second first-rounder from 2012 to sign.

“My agent has been talking to the staff in Capitals since the draft,” he said. “They wanted to sign me and of course I wanted to be signed for such a big organization, a good team. So, yeah, it was a dream coming true to sign with the Capitals.”

From Friday’s paper, read about Filip Forsberg’s potential. Is he the next Corey Perry?